Chair, Member Engagement Committee

Committee: Member Engagement Committee
Position: Chair
Term Dates: Two-year term

The MEC is responsible for engagement of new and returning members and managing the portfolio of NAFSA Member Interest Groups (MIGs). The year as chair-elect is focused on partnering with and supporting the existing chair of MEC, before transitioning into that role in the second year. The year as chair is focused on leading the MEC committee through virtual and in-person meetings to achieve the assigned outcomes of the work plan, monitoring progress of MEC activities, and reporting progress to the Vice President for Professional Development and Engagement (VP PDE) throughout the year.

Position updated December 2020.

NAFSA is not currently accepting applications for this position. Visit NAFSA Volunteer Leadership: Open Positions to learn about available opportunities.

Major Functions and Responsibilities

Welcome and engage new members with quarterly outreach and at engagement events and programs during the annual conference. 
Support knowledge communities and national committees with their member engagement activities. 
Manage the portfolio of Member Interest Groups, providing on-going support of MIGs as appropriate throughout the year, and convening with leaders on a quarterly basis. 
Approve and dissolve MIGs according to the guidelines in the Guidance for MIG Leaders & Organizers 
Complete tri-annual reviews of MIGs in accordance with the Standing Rules. Offer guidance to MIG leaders to improve group engagement activities
As chair-elect (Year One)
- Assist with organizational and project management duties;
- Prepare a strategically driven work plan for following year; and
- Assume duties of chair in their absence.
As chair (Year Two)
- Lead the MEC through virtual and in-person meetings to achieve the assigned outcomes of the work plan
- Understand the needs of NAFSA’s diverse members and MIGs in the execution of MEC activities, which may include online resources, professional development activities, conference sessions and outreach;
- Monitor and report progress of MEC activities to the VP PDE twice a year or as needed.

All NAFSA leaders are expected to foster an inclusive environment and seek to learn and understand the multicultural perspectives of the committee/team, our constituents, and stakeholders to align with the NAFSA Diversity and Inclusion Statement. An expression of leadership in this area includes:

Engaging the committee/team to identify and implement strategies for increased personal outreach, recruitment, and onboarding for all, especially diversity-focused and underrepresented groups
Increasing accessibility and participation from underrepresented groups, individuals, and institutions
Expanding educational content within the committees’ purview through intentional outreach and recruitment of diverse presenters and institutional types in partnership with various NAFSA groups

NAFSA: Association of International Educators is a professional association driven by its Strategic Plan as established by the Board of Directors. The success of the association depends on the productive engagement of three key constituencies: the Board, member-leaders, and staff. Member-leaders are advocates for the association’s mission, vision, values, diversity and inclusion, and ethical principles. They align their work closely with the Board through its vice presidents and with staff to carry out the Strategic Plan. Member-leader roles are guided by objectives assigned by the Strategic Plan, by outcome accountabilities outlined in the Standing Rules, and by position descriptions for specific roles.

Relationships

Commitment

Valid NAFSA membership through the length of the leadership term
Two year term, non-renewable, elected by NAFSA members
Estimated time commitment is eight hours per month on average, with peak commitment in January (Washington Leadership Meeting) and May (Annual Conference). The chair also may convene monthly or bimonthly with virtual meetings throughout the year. The peak months and duties are as follows:
- January/February: Assist with orientation, onboard new members, and recruit new leaders; prepare for and attend the Washington Leadership Meeting
- April/May: Prepare for and attend leadership meetings before the NAFSA Annual Conference and organize MEC conference activities; submit a mid-year status report on the annual work plan
- July/August/September: Attend the Summer Coordination Meeting and draft an annual work plan for the following year (chair-elect).
- November: submit an end-of-year report on the work plan (chair). The chair will provide a status report on the current work plan.

NAFSA Meetings
Chairs/chairs-elect/past chairs are asked to attend key leadership meetings: Washington Leadership Meeting, Summer Coordination Meeting (chair-elect only), and NAFSA Annual Conference as well as virtual meetings convened throughout the year by their committee/knowledge community. For the Washington Leadership Meeting, NAFSA provides reimbursement for travel, per diem, and lodging expenses. The Summer Coordination Meeting is held virtually for chairs-elect. For the Annual Conference, NAFSA provides complimentary registration to the chair and chair-elect; any costs for travel to/from the annual conference, as well as meals, and lodging for meetings before/during/after the conference, are the responsibility of the chair/chair-elect/past-chair and are not reimbursed by NAFSA. Other operating expenses members incur in their offices/at home, such as copying, phone calls, etc. are not reimbursed. Large copying jobs should be referred to staff. Conference calls are set up by staff and covered by the association as necessary.

Please Note: If you are elected chair-elect of the Member Engagement Committee, you are not eligible to serve in another elected position until one full year after your term as chair of the Member Engagement Committee has ended.

Qualifications